221.0206(1)(1)Time for filing. The incorporators shall file articles of incorporation with the division within a reasonable time, as determined by the division, from the date on which the division approved the certificate of authority. If the incorporators do not file the articles of incorporation within this period, all rights of the incorporators cease and the certificate of authority to organize is void.

221.0206(2)(a)(a) The articles of incorporation shall be executed in duplicate, and shall be signed by the majority of the incorporators. All signers must be residents of this state and must be subscribers to stock of the bank or of a bank holding company of the bank.

221.0206(2)(b)(b) The articles of incorporation shall contain all of the following:

221.0206(2)(b)1.1. A declaration that the incorporators associate for the purpose of forming a banking corporation under this chapter and stating whether the bank is a state bank or a trust company bank.

221.0206(2)(b)7.7. Any other lawful provisions defining and regulating the powers or business of the bank, its officers or directors; the transfer of its stock; and the disposition of new stock that may be created by amending the articles of incorporation to increase the bank's capital.

221.0206(3)(3)Approval or disapproval. The division shall, in the division's discretion, approve or disapprove the articles of incorporation. If approved, the division shall endorse on each of the 2 duplicate originals the word "Approved". If disapproved, the division shall endorse on each of the 2 duplicate originals the word "Disapproved". The division shall file one of the originals and shall send the remaining original to the incorporators, together with a certificate showing the date of filing, the approval or disapproval and the date of the approval or disapproval. If the articles of incorporation are approved, the copy sent to the incorporators shall be filed with the records of the bank.

221.0206(4)(4)Fees. The incorporators shall pay a fee to the division when the articles of incorporation are filed. The fee shall be in an amount determined by the division.

221.0207(1)(1)Proposed bylaws and shareholder list. Within 90 days after the filing of the articles of incorporation under s. 221.0206, unless extended by the division, the incorporators shall file with the division, in duplicate, the proposed bylaws and a complete list of the shareholders of the proposed bank. The list of shareholders shall show the number of shares held by each shareholder and the post-office address of each shareholder. On approval by the division, the bylaws shall be submitted for consideration by the shareholders.

221.0207(2)(2)Sworn declaration. Within the period for filing under sub. (1), the incorporators shall also file a declaration subscribed and sworn to by each of the incorporators, stating that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, all of the following are true:

221.0207(2)(a)(a) All shareholders have subscribed for the stock accredited to them in the list of shareholders, in good faith and not as the representative or agent of any corporation or other person.

221.0207(2)(b)(b) One hundred percent of each stock subscription has been paid in lawful money.

221.0207(2)(c)(c) No incorporator has entered into any agreement or promise that the bank, when open, shall loan to any shareholder funds for the purpose of paying any indebtedness that may have been incurred by a shareholder to obtain funds to purchase shares of the bank.

221.0207(2)(d)(d) All money received in payment of stock subscriptions, except such amount as may have been paid out by order of the incorporators, is on deposit to the credit of the incorporators in the designated depository.

221.0208(1)(a)2.2. Obtained suitable banking quarters, and the necessary books, forms, stationery, furniture and equipment for the proper and orderly transaction of the business of banking.

221.0208(1)(a)3.3. Complied with any other requirements imposed by law or rules of the division necessary to commence business.

221.0208(1)(b)(b) The notice under par. (a) shall be given to the division within a reasonable time after the date of filing the articles of incorporation, as determined by the division.

221.0208(2)(2)Examination and issuance of charter. After receiving a notice under sub. (1) (a), the division shall make an examination of the organizing bank. If this examination satisfies the division that the stock subscriptions have been fully paid in lawful money and that the bank is lawfully entitled to commence business, the division shall issue to the bank a certificate of authority for the bank to commence business. The certificate of authority to commence business is the charter of the bank. The division shall give each charter a charter number.

221.0208(3)(3)Denial of charter. The division may, with the advice and consent of the attorney general, deny the issuance of a charter if the division has reason to believe that any of the following is true:

221.0208(3)(a)(a) The shareholders have formed the bank for any purpose other than the legitimate business contemplated by this chapter.

221.0208(3)(b)(b) A fact stated in the declaration under s. 221.0207 (2) is untrue, or that other reasons exist that would make the opening of the bank injurious to the public interest.

221.0209221.0209
Prohibition on transacting business. A bank may not transact any business, except such as is incidental or necessarily preliminary to its organization until it has been issued a charter under s. 221.0208.

221.0210221.0210
Publication of charter. The bank shall cause the charter issued under s. 221.0208, to be published as a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, in the city, village or town where the bank is located. This notice shall be published within 15 days after the division issues the charter. The bank shall file proof of publication with the division. If a bank fails to comply with this section, the division shall cause the notice to be published at the bank's expense and the bank shall forfeit $100 to the division.

221.0211(1)(1)Voting, filing and approval requirements. A bank may amend its articles of incorporation in any manner not inconsistent with law. The amendment may be made at any time, by a vote of its shareholders owning a majority of the stock of the bank who are entitled to vote, unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws require a greater number of affirmative votes of the capital stock. The vote shall be taken at a meeting called for that purpose. The bank shall submit the amendment to the division. The amendment is not effective unless approved by the division.

221.0211(2)(2)Filing. The amendment, certified by an officer of the bank, shall be filed with the division, as required for the articles of incorporation.

221.0211(3)(3)Increase of capital. An increase of the capital of the bank, by amending the bank's articles of incorporation, is not valid until the amount of the increase has been subscribed and actually paid in. The entire surplus fund of a bank, or as much as may be required, may be declared and paid out as a stock dividend to apply on, and be converted into, an increase of capital.

221.0211(4)(4)Reduction of capital. An amendment of the articles of incorporation may not reduce the capital of the bank to an amount less than that required under this chapter. A bank may not cancel stock certificates pursuant to an amendment to the bank's articles of incorporation reducing the bank's capital, until the amendment has been approved by the division. Any reduction in capital must be a proportional reduction of all outstanding shares, unless the division determines that a reduction in a different manner is in the best interests of the depositors.

221.0212(1)(1)When permitted. A bank's board of directors may restate the articles of incorporation at any time. Except as provided in sub. (3), shareholder approval is not required.

221.0212(2)(2)Form of restated articles. The restated articles of incorporation shall consist of the articles of incorporation, as amended to date, and shall contain a statement that the restated articles of incorporation supersede and take the place of the original articles of incorporation, any restated articles of incorporation previously adopted, and all amendments to the original and any restated articles of incorporation.

221.0212(3)(3)Restatements including amendments. In addition to the contents described in sub. (2), the restatement may include one or more amendments to the articles of incorporation. If the restatement includes an amendment, the restatement shall be adopted in the manner provided under s. 221.0211.

221.0212(4)(4)Required filing and certificate. A bank restating its articles of incorporation shall file articles of restatement, certified by an officer of the bank, with the division. The articles of restatement shall include the name of the bank and the text of the restated articles of incorporation. The articles of restatement shall be filed with a certificate that includes all of the following information:

221.0212(4)(a)(a) A statement indicating whether the restatement contains an amendment to the articles of incorporation requiring shareholder approval.

221.0212(4)(b)(b) If the restatement does not contain an amendment to the articles of incorporation requiring shareholder approval, a statement that the board of directors of the bank adopted the restatement.

221.0212(4)(c)(c) If the restatement contains an amendment to the articles of incorporation requiring shareholder approval, the information required by s. 221.0211.

221.0212(5)(5)Effect of restatement. The restated articles of incorporation supersede the original articles of incorporation, any restated articles of incorporation previously adopted, and all amendments to the original and any restated articles of incorporation.

221.0213(1)(1)Voting requirements. A bank may make, amend or repeal its bylaws by an affirmative vote of shareholders owning a majority of the stock of the bank who are entitled to vote, unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws require a greater number of affirmative votes.

221.0213(2)(2)Content. The bylaws of a bank may contain any provision for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the bank that is not inconsistent with its articles of incorporation or with the laws of this state.

221.0214221.0214
Amendment of bylaws by board of directors or shareholders.

221.0214(1)(1)Amendment by board of directors. A bank's board of directors may amend or repeal the bank's bylaws or adopt new bylaws, except to the extent that any of the following applies:

221.0214(1)(a)(a) The articles of incorporation, s. 221.0503 or any other provision of this chapter reserve that power exclusively to the shareholders.

221.0214(1)(b)(b) The shareholders, in adopting, amending or repealing a particular bylaw, provided in the bylaws that the board of directors may not amend, repeal or readopt that bylaw.

221.0214(2)(2)Amendment by shareholders. A bank's shareholders may amend or repeal the bank's bylaws or adopt new bylaws, even though the board of directors may also amend or repeal the bank's bylaws or adopt new bylaws.

221.0215(1)(1)Increase in capital stock. A bank may authorize an increase in the capital stock of the bank in the category of authorized but unissued stock if approved by the division and if approved by a vote of shareholders owning a majority of the stock of the bank entitled to vote, or by such greater percentage provided in the bank's articles of incorporation or bylaws.

221.0215(2)(2)Authorized but unissued stock. A bank may issue authorized but unissued stock in all of the following circumstances:

221.0215(2)(a)(a) To employees of the bank pursuant to a stock option or stock purchase plan.

221.0215(2)(b)(b) In exchange for convertible preferred stock and convertible capital debentures, in accordance with the terms of the stock or debentures.

221.0215(2)(c)(c) For such other purposes and considerations as may be approved by both the division and the board of directors of the bank.

221.0215(3)(3)Classes of shares. The articles of incorporation shall prescribe the classes of shares and the number of shares of each class that the bank is authorized to issue. If more than one class of shares is authorized, the articles of incorporation shall prescribe a distinguishing designation for each class. Before the issuance of shares of a class, the bank shall describe in its articles of incorporation the preferences, limitations and relative rights of that class. All shares of a class shall have preferences, limitations and relative rights identical with those of other shares of the same class, unless the class is divided into series.

221.0215(4)(4)Series of shares. The articles of incorporation may create series of shares within a class of shares. Before the issuance of shares of a series, the bank shall describe in its articles of incorporation the number of shares of each series that the bank is authorized to issue, a distinguishing designation for each series within a class and the preferences, limitations and relative rights of that series. All shares of a series shall have preferences, limitations and relative rights identical with those of other shares of the same series and, except to the extent otherwise provided in the description of the series, with those of other series of the same class.

221.0215(5)(5)Articles of incorporation. The articles of incorporation shall authorize all of the following:

221.0215(5)(a)(a) One or more classes of shares that together have unlimited voting rights.

221.0215(5)(b)(b) One or more classes of shares, which may be the same class or classes as those with voting rights under par. (a), that together are entitled to receive the net assets of the bank upon dissolution.

221.0215(6)(6)Types of preferences and rights. The articles of incorporation may authorize one or more classes of shares that have designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights that may include any of the following:

221.0215(6)(a)(a) Special, conditional or limited voting rights, or no right to vote, except to the extent prohibited by this chapter.

221.0215(6)(b)(b) Subject to s. 221.0323, provisions for the redemption or conversion of the shares under any of the following terms specified by articles of incorporation:

221.0215(6)(b)1.1. At the option of the bank, the shareholder or another person, or upon the occurrence of a designated event.

2013-14 Wisconsin Statutes updated through 2015 Wis. Act 3 and all Supreme Court Orders entered before March 25, 2015. Published and certified under s. 35.18. Changes effective after March 25, 2015 are designated by NOTES. (Published 3-25-15)